Sharks: Tomas Hertl. The Sharks 2012 first round draft pick will make his NHL debut on Thursday, playing on a top line with Joe Thornton and Brent Burns. The Sharks already down a forward in Raffi Torres, Hertl will have to be a key ingredient to the Sharks’ offense. He had three goals and an assist in four preseason games.

Canucks: Ryan Kesler. The Canucks’ feisty and highly skilled forward enters the season as the team’s second line center. On a team with a very top-heavy offense in which depth looks to be an issue, Kesler will have to remain healthy and have a monster year in order for Vancouver to remain competitive.

The Sharks won all three games of the season series with the Canucks, and all four first round playoff games in the first-ever franchise series sweep. The Canucks have not beaten the Sharks in the regular season or playoffs since Jan. 21, 2012.

All-time, the Sharks are 41-42-9-5 against Vancouver, including a 22-9-5-4 mark at home.

Quoteable

“There is some youth involved, and I still think the core guys are in the prime of their careers. I like the balance, and I said that word about a thousand times last year. I just like the balance of our team moving forward.” – Dan Boyle